In survey after survey, meetings get knocked by everyone from employees to senior executives as being among the biggest waste of work hours.

In one poll, by Office Team, 45 percent of senior executives said their firms would be more productive if they banned all meetings at least one day a week!

"The problem that often occurs - beyond the obvious, like lacking a clear agenda - is the underlying current of competition that each person brings to the table," says Berny Dohrmann, chairman and founder of CEO Space International, and author of "Redemption: The Cooperation Revolution," (www.ceospaceinternational.com).

"Competition pulls people apart; cooperation brings them together. Signs that competition is causing unproductive meetings include one or two people dominating the floor; individuals touting their achievements; people consistently failing to contribute their ideas because they fear being criticized or ridiculed."

The drive to compete is so ingrained in most of us, we often don't recognize it, Dohrmann says.

"We get it culturally. We learn it in school. It's often reinforced within our own families as we're growing up. We have to be aware of that and identify the culture we want, and then set about creating it - beginning with our meetings."

Cooperative meetings yield far better results, he says. People working together toward a goal are more efficient, more productive, and even happier. The group pulling together toward the same goal will achieve that goal far more quickly than individuals each pulling in opposite directions, Dohrmann says.

How can you turn competition into cooperation - and wasted meetings into fruitful gatherings? He offers these suggestions:

• Begin instituting culture change by rewarding cooperative behavior. When someone makes a suggestion that can help another individual or department, publicly acknowledge and praise that teamwork. Encourage inter-departmental interest, empathy and even personal bonds by allowing employees from one area to shadow employees from another. Remind everyone that when one department succeeds, everyone succeeds. Look for managers and employees who tend to be naturally cooperative and enlist them as mentors and leaders to encourage and spread the new culture.

• Identify and curb competitive behavior in meetings. Avoid discouraging the behavior with tactics that rely on public criticism, scorn or ridicule. Rather, set egalitarian standards, such as time limits for each person to speak, and stick to them. When someone strays off topic, discern whether he or she is sharing a potentially valuable idea or seeking a personal competitive advantage (i.e. by laying blame, self-promoting, etc.) before steering him back on topic.

• Participation is essential to cooperation. Require everyone to participate in meetings. Circulate the agenda in advance with the stated expectation that each attendee will come to the table prepared to address at least one item - even if it's not an item within their area of responsibility. Participation is a key component of a cooperative work group and making it the norm is often as simple as getting everyone into the habit.

About Berny Dohrmann

Berny Dohrmann is chairman and founder of CEO Space International, one of the largest support organizations for business owners. As the inventor of Super Teaching, a Title I technology that accelerates retention for public schools, he is a frequently a guest speaker to various nations, VIP conferences and television programs. As a member of the Dohrmann family, which operated the largest global resort-outfitting firm as Dohrmann Hotel Supply for several generations, he grew up with several business mentors, including Napoleon Hill, Earl Nightingale, Walt Disney, Warner Earnhardt, Bucky Fuller, Dr. Edward Deming and Jack Kennedy. He has learned from both success and adversity: Indicted for criminal contempt for a $86,000 junk bund from an investment banking firm he had sold, he fought the charge in court, but lost in 1995 and went to prison for 18 months. He has since made a documentary about the experience.

Q:        Is there a one-stop shop for frequently asked questions during tax filing season?

A: The Nobel-winning physicist Albert Einstein reportedly said, "the hardest thing in the world to understand is the income tax."  That's something coming from the man whose last name is interchangeable with genius.  The Presidents' Day holiday weekend typically kicks off the busiest weeks of tax filing season leading up to the tax-filing deadline on April 15, 2014.  The IRS encourages taxpayers to visit IRS.gov as the easiest, fastest, most convenient way to get answers.  The IRS also launched a daily tax tips service that taxpayers may access for free by e-mail subscription.  Through April 15, the IRS will send daily, easy-to-read tips on frequently asked questions that affect millions of taxpayers.  The daily reminders offer insight into often-overlooked tax credits or deductions, consumer alerts, refunds, etc.  Visit IRS.gov for more information.  One of the biggest tips may be to file electronically if possible.  According to the IRS nearly 120 million taxpayers chose to file their tax returns electronically last year.  The IRS says it is the safest, fastest and easiest way to submit individual tax returns.  Since 1990, taxpayers have e-filed more than 1 billion Form 1040 series tax returns.

Q:        What is the Free File program and is it affiliated with the IRS?

A:        Yes.  Taxpayers who qualify for this program will find it an efficient, user-friendly tool to help them prepare, complete and e-file their 2013 federal tax returns free-of-charge.  Since 2003, the IRS has partnered with a coalition of 14 private-sector tax software providers to offer free tax prep and electronic filing options for individual taxpayers.  Those with adjusted gross incomes in 2013 of $58,000 or less may qualify to use this service.  That makes 70 percent of U.S. taxpayers eligible to take advantage of this free-of-charge, online tax preparation service.  In the last decade, 40 million taxpayers have filed their federal taxes through Free File.

Q:        How do eligible taxpayers access this service?

A:        First, taxpayers must have access to a computer and the Internet.  Then, go to www.IRS.gov/freefile to take a look at the brand-name software companies from which you may choose to prepare and e-file your federal tax return for free.  Once you have selected the tax software provider, you will be directed to that company's website.  From there, the company will provide step-by-step online assistance to answer tax law questions and resolve technical issues.  The participating companies offer the most commonly filed tax forms through this service.  Tax refunds may be issued within 10 days.  The online service is available in English and Spanish.  Taxpayers who are above the income limits and who do not require tax preparation assistance may access Free File's basic e-filing service.  Go to www.IRS.gov/freefile to find the Free File Fillable Forms to complete and file electronically.  All participating Free File Alliance companies are subject to privacy standards in accordance with Treasury Department regulations and may not use or disclose tax return information without consent of the taxpayer.

Q:        What help is available for taxpayers who don't have access to a computer?

A:        According to a recent internal watchdog report, the IRS answered only six in 10 phone calls from taxpayers seeking help in the last fiscal year.  That added up to nearly 20 million unanswered phone calls.  Taxpayers who did get through were put on hold on average 17.6 minutes.  For taxpayers below a certain income and older taxpayers who don't have access to a computer, two volunteer-based programs are available throughout local communities across the country, offering tax assistance through April 15.  The IRS Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) and the Tax Counseling for the Elderly (TCE) Programs offer free tax help for taxpayers who qualify.  These programs offer face-to-face help with simple tax return questions.  VITA offers help to people who make $52,000 or less.  TCE gives priority assistance to people age 60 and older.  To locate a VITA site in your area, call toll-free (800) 906-9887.  To locate the nearest TCE site, call toll-free (888) 227-7669.

Q:        Does the IRS need more money to better serve taxpayers?

A: From my assignment on the Senate Finance Committee, which has legislative and oversight jurisdiction over the Internal Revenue Service, the IRS for years has come to Congress asking for more money to do its job.  As with any federal agency, the IRS often attributes poor performance to under-funding.  But wasteful employee conferences and a reluctance to embrace whistleblowers who expose tax fraud are examples of how the agency could and should do more with its existing resources before seeking more money.  I'll continue to look for ways to improve customer service at the IRS and ensure the agency offers the most bang for the taxpayers' buck.

While the world is still feeling the long ripples of the economic meltdown that began six years ago, our economic institutions remain "too big to fail" - at least in the minds of  millions of retired Americans and those soon to join their ranks, says veteran financial advisor Curt Whipple.

"That's what we see when we review their retirement portfolios," says Whipple, a Certified Wealth Strategist, Certified Estate Planner and CEO of C. Curtis Financial Group. He recently published "Retiree Lifeline! How to Get Government Out of Your Pocket," (ccurtisfinancial.com), a retirement planning guide.

"I see it all the time: a new client comes in with what they believe to be a 'diverse' portfolio. While it may be diverse in terms of Wall Street holdings, a solid retirement plan also requires diversity outside of a system that's 'too big to fail,' which could fail yet again."

When Wall Street falls, it shouldn't mean that Main Street must as well. Whipple outlines the three kinds of money retirees should have available for enjoying the golden years with peace of mind.

• Red money ... can be defined as that which is tied to Wall Street, by far the most popular kind of investment, including stocks, bonds and mutual funds. "I've been looking at the accounts of new clients for nearly three decades, and on average, 92 percent of their retirement plan is based in these investments," he says. "That's risky, especially as you get closer to retirement age or once you retire. You don't want 92 percent of your retirement premised on that kind of potential volatility."

• Blue money ... is often referred to as "alternative investments," which typically include Real Estate Trusts (REITS), equipment leasing programs, precious metals such as gold and silver, high grade rare coins and collectibles. "This 'color' of money has been an important portion of the pie for success in my clients' investments; they were essentially unaffected by our recent economic collapse because they were so well diversified." This is a highly advantageous part of a portfolio because it historically creates good income with a low correlation to the stock market.

• Green money ... is accounts that come with a guarantee of some sort. They are either backed by the FDIC, the Legal Reserve System, which is supported by the insurance industry, or insurance companies themselves. "Not all wealth is created equally, and this is the safest kind of money you can have in your retirement plan," he says. Green money includes investments in one's portfolio that have guarantees to not lose one's principal and, sometimes, one's earnings.

"Investment in Wall Street should be much lower for those who are either retired or are about to be retired," Whipple says. "Depending on a person's age, a good investment portfolio could include about 36 percent red money, 32 percent blue money and 32 percent green money."

About Curt Whipple, CWS, CEP

Curt Whipple, Certified Wealth Strategist (CWS) and Certified Estate Planner (CEP), is Chief Managing Partner at the C. Curtis Financial Group, which he formed in 1986. Since then, Curtis Financial Group has counseled and advised individuals and corporations on their financial goals and decisions. Whipple is a nationally recognized speaker.

Local Hiring Event on Feb. 17 Open to the Public

Iowa City, Iowa - Feb. 13, 2014 - Known for offering wages significantly higher than the industry standard, ALDI, the nation's low-price grocery leader*, will host a hiring event for its Iowa City-area stores on Monday, Feb. 17. Opportunities within ALDI include Store Associates, Shift Managers and Manager Trainees.

The hiring events follow the recent Iowa City store opening that expanded grocery retail options in the market with the ALDI brand promise of high-quality grocery items at unbeatable prices.

What:  ALDI hiring events for Cedar Rapids, Iowa City and Marion, Iowa

Who:   ALDI representatives and local residents currently seeking employment opportunities

 When:  Monday, Feb. 17 from 6 a.m. until 6 p.m.

Where:  ALDI, 760 Ruppert Road, Iowa City, IA  52246

Positions: • Store Associate - $12.35 per hour

• Shift Manager - $16.35 per hour

• Manager Trainee - $19.50 per hour

 Job Requirements:          • Must be 18 years or older to apply

• High school diploma or GED

• Must be available to work anytime between 6 a.m. and 10 p.m., Monday - Sunday

• Retail experience preferred

• Management experience preferred for Manager Trainees

• Drug screening and background check

• Ability to lift 45 pounds

Quick Facts: • ALDI offers employees generous compensation that is considered well above the industry standard

• Part-time staff working at least 20 hours a week receive full health insurance, dental coverage and 401K

About ALDI Inc.

A leader in the grocery retailing industry, ALDI operates nearly 1,300 stores in 32 states, primarily from Kansas to the East Coast. More than 25 million customers each month save up to 50 percent** on their grocery bills, benefiting from the ALDI simple and streamlined approach to retailing. ALDI sells more than 1,300 of the most commonly purchased grocery items, primarily under its exclusive brands, which must meet or exceed the national name brands on taste and quality. ALDI is so confident in the quality of its products, the company offers a Double Guarantee: If for any reason a customer is not 100 percent satisfied with any ALDI food product, ALDI will gladly replace the product and refund the purchase price. For more information about ALDI, visit www.aldi.us.